Renowned Acadian band 1755 Announce Tour

1755-logo-petit The most renowned Acadian band, 1755, will tour across villages and towns in New Brunswick, plus a few shows in Québec and PEI, from May to October, presenting 21 shows.

The tour, entitled Celebrate 2009, will mark New Brunswick’s 225th anniversary, Acadian flag’s 125th anniversary and the 40th year of existence of New Brunswick’s Official Language Act. This tour occurs exactly 25 years after the group’s last major tour called “100 pour 200” celebrating the Acadian flag’s 100th anniversary and the Province’s 200th.

This tour is not only 1755’s tour; many other artists were invited by the band to start the shows: George Belliveau, Tradition, La Virée, Fayo, Lisa LeBlanc, Melanie Morgan, Jean-François Breau, Kevin McIntyre, Steve Poirier, Grand Dérangement, Roddey Romero, Suroît, Dominique Dupuis, Les Divorcees, Darcy Mazerolle, Waylon Thibodeau, KeroZen, Neon Highway, A Raced Called Man, Shirley Albert, Acadia, Cayouche, Hert LeBlanc, etc.

1755 (photo by Lisa Gauvin)
1755 (photo by Lisa Gauvin)

The tour
The tour will start in Dieppe on May 16 and continue May 30 in Causapscal, QC; June 6 in Balmoral; June 11 in Fredericton; June 20 in Miramichi; June 21 in Gatineau, QC; June 27 in Lamèque; July 1st in Gaspé, QC; July 4 in Richibouctou; July 11 in Petit-Rocher; July 18 in Neguac; July 25 in Shediac; August 1st in Dalhousie; August 8 in Charlottetown PEI; August 14 in Dieppe; August 15 in Caraquet; August 21 in Tracadie-Sheila; September 5 in Cap-Pelé; October 10 in Kedgwick; and October 24 in Grand Falls. A show will also be presented in Saint John but the date is not yet known.

Roland Gauvin, member of the group 1755 and main organizer of Celebrate 2009, says that many community organizations have partnered with the artists in this grand tour. “Benefits will be shared with local non-profit organizations in all areas, and their members are helping us out with the shows. In most towns, we are working with the local festival. In some places, the municipality is our partner,” says Gauvin.

1755
1755

Important partners of the private sector
A tour like this one could not happen without important sponsors or partners of the private sector. Molson is the project’s main sponsor. “At Molson we believe in connecting with our communities and we couldn’t be more excited about helping to bring 1755 to many communities in New Brunswick,” said Steve Dykeman, Regional Manager, NB/PEI, Molson. “Molson Canadian is proud to help bring 1755 fans a summer to remember.” Molson will draw for 20 guitars signed by 1755 members plus a private party for 50 people with the members of the band.

The Province of New Brunswick and the Fédération des Caisses populaires acadiennes are also important partners in the tour. CapAcadie.com and L’Acadie Nouvelle are the media partners.

Summary

Saturday, May 16 – Dieppe (NB) : Fayo / George Belliveau
Saturday, May 30 – Causapscal (QC)
Saturday, June 6 – Balmoral (NB) : Kevin McIntyre / La Virée
Thursday, June 11 – Fredericton (NB) : Les Divorcees / Neon Highway
Saturday, June 20 – Miramichi (NB) : Lisa LeBlanc / Darcy Mazerolle
Sunday, June 21 – Gatineau (QC) : Grand Dérangement
Saturday, June 27 – Lamèque (NB) : George Belliveau / A Race Called Man
Wednesday, July 1st – Gaspé (QC)
Saturday, July 4 – Richibouctou (NB) : Suroît
Saturday, July 11 – Petit Rocher (NB) : Jean-François Breau / Acadia
Saturday, July 18 – Neguac (NB) : Tradition / Fayo
Saturday, July 25 – Shediac (NB) : Jean-François Breau / George Belliveau / Shirley Albert
Saturday, August 1st – Dalhousie (NB) : George Belliveau / KeroZen
Saturday, August 8 – Charlottetown (ÎPÉ) : Roddey Romero / Steve Poirier
Friday, August 14 – Dieppe (NB) : Cayouche / Dominique Dupuis
Saturday, August 15 – Caraquet (NB) : La Virée
Friday, August 21 – Tracadie-Sheila (NB) : Waylon Thibodeau / Hert LeBlanc / Cayouche
Saturday, Septembre 5 – Cap-Pelé (NB) : George Belliveau / Melanie Morgan
Saturday, Octobre 10 – Kedgwick (NB)
Saturday, Octobre 24 – Grand Falls (NB)
Date to be determined – Saint John (NB)